Former Tennessee offensive tackle Tim Irwin jokes with defensive back Todd Kelly Jr. during a VFL Career Night at Smokey's Grill inside the Anderson Training Facility on Thursday. The career night intended to bring together former Tennessee players in businesses to speak with current players about future career paths outside of football.
Calvin Mattheis/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee

Knoxville native and University of Tennessee football player Todd Kelly Jr. speaks at the Save our Sons Summit II at Pellissippi State Community College's Magnolia campus on Friday, June 30, 2017. Save Our Sons works with the community to address gaps in opportunity and to end violence-related deaths among boys and young men of color.
CAITIE MCMEKIN/NEWS SENTINEL

Tennessee defensive back Todd Kelly Jr. pauses on the power T before the game against Appalachian State at Neyland Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016.
AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS, AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENT

University of Tennessee football players Todd Kelly Jr., right, and Josh Dobbs speak to the young members of 100 Black Men of greater Knoxville Inc. during the 20th anniversary Saturday, May 30, 2015. Member Rick Staples said the organization was founded to mentor young African American males. "Despite what society might say about them, what they might see in their socio-economic surroundings they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. So we try to keep their minds nurtured with positive thoughts."
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Tennessee defensive back Todd Kelly Jr. (6) obliges a fan's request to take a selfie with his smartphone following Tennessee's 45-28 victory over Iowa in the Taxslayer Bowl at EverBank Field on Friday, Jan. 2, 2015 in Jacksonville, Fla.
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Kelly hasn't played since the second game of the season. He was on the sideline for Saturday's game against Georgia with a sleeve on his left knee.

"God's plans for us are bigger than our own; in this, we have to trust Him through anything and everything," Kelly wrote in an Instagram post on Monday. "I'll be back in due time according to His plan!"

Kelly led the Vols with 71 tackles in 2016. The Webb School of Knoxville graduate has seven tackles this year, giving him 153 for his career.

The Vols are especially thin on depth at safety behind starters Nigel Warrior and Micah Abernathy. Second-string safety and kick returner Evan Berry has not played since the opener due to an undisclosed injury.

Regarding other injuries, Jones said wide receiver Marquez Callaway was withheld from practice Tuesday but would have participated if the Vols were playing Saturday.

Tennessee has a bye before hosting South Carolina on Oct. 14.

CLOSE

Tennessee running back John Kelly addresses the Vols' state of mind after their 41-0 loss to Georgia.
Blake Toppmeyer/News Sentinel

Callaway exited during the second half of Saturday's game against Georgia. His helmet smacked the ground after he landed from trying to make a catch.

Linebacker Austin Smith (knee), who hasn't played this season, practiced Tuesday. Jones said the key for Smith is getting in the game condition and getting more confident in his knee following the preseason injury.

Tight end Ethan Wolf played against Georgia after exiting with an injury against Massachusetts the previous week. Wolf said he sprained the MCL in his knee and sprained his ankle.

"I’m doing good," Wolf said. "It was lucky that it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. I just took a shot from the outside on my leg and felt a little pop in my knee."